1914 Cunningham Model R

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

 * * * 

Cunningham was incorporated in 1882 calling Rochester, Michigan its home. Upon the passing of father and founder James, son Joseph took over in 1886. Within a decade Cunningham became America’s leading producer of high-quality dogcarts – sleighs, cutters, berlins, tally-hos, and victories. Like many carriage makers, Cunningham successfully made the transition from carriages to horseless carriages. Initially experimenting with electric vehicles, production began in 1907 with a gasoline automobile. Most typically, Buffalo or Continental engines were used.

By 1911 Cunningham offered cataloged production models powered by a 40 hp four-cyinder Cunningham engine. Ads proclaimed, “Nothing to buy but the license.” By 1916 the company had its own 45 hp 443 cu-in V8 engine. Ralph DePalma drove a V8 Cunningham to 98 mph in a six-mile trial at Sheepshead Bay. During WWI and the Twenties, Cunninghams were revered as among the handsomest cars in America; and the most expensive, averaging $5,000 and going as high as $9,000. Cunninghams were huge vehicles on wheelbases typically of 132 and 142 inches.

Cunningham clientele included Mary Pickford, William Randolph Hearst, Marshall Field, Philip Wrigley, Fatty Arbuckle and Cecil B. De Mille.

Highlights

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection

• One of the highest quality vehicles built in America

• An important American Brass Era automobile

• 129-inch wheelbase chassis

• Restoration project

• Candidate to build for the Great American Race

Features

• Wood artillery wheels

• Engine turns free

• Front and rear fenders

• Chassis with cowl

• Dashboard with gauges

• Floorboards

• Gas tank

• Running boards and splash apron

• 36x4.5 tires

• Magneto

• Transmission

• Brakes

• Friction Shocks

• Steering wheel and controls

Ownership History

Harrah's Automobile Collection, Reno, Nevada; Bill Anderson, Lake Tahoe (Purchased from Harrah in 1983).

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “This Cunningham is another vehicle that we acquired from the Harrah Collection. It was also used as a donor to build three beautiful Cunninghams we proudly display today.” 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 email: dgould@hagerty.com